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Chain lube
May. 30th, 2010 09:18 pmOK, I've been using regular old oil for over a year now. I think I'm done with that. It just attracts too much dirt. Not that it makes much difference in chain life, but seeing a grime-encrusted black chain that was originally silver is irritating. I mean, I'm not that picky on cleanliness of the bike, but the chain was just getting ridiculously dirty.
Tonight I switched back to the DuPont teflon+wax spray. A $5 can lasts me over a year and it goes on in about 30 seconds and leaves the chain much cleaner (the carrier liquid is a decent solvent that can then be wiped off). Oil takes several minutes and doesn't really clean much, even with a mineral oil carrier.
FWIW, the "run the drivetrain to destruction" experiment is still ongoing, at about 21,400 miles. The chain went on at about 17,300 so this is a record at about 4000 miles. Admittedly, it's not the same chain, I switched a couple of months ago to another "worn out" chain. I probably should look into doing that again soon. It's still running great, shifts smooth and fast and no skipping at all, even though the cogs must all be getting significantly worn, and the derailleur wheels are worn almost smooth.
In other bike news, I found that my gas powered weed whacker fits in the folding basket fine when broken down and lashed in with a radiator strap. Had to go over to the church to do a little trimming there.
Tonight I switched back to the DuPont teflon+wax spray. A $5 can lasts me over a year and it goes on in about 30 seconds and leaves the chain much cleaner (the carrier liquid is a decent solvent that can then be wiped off). Oil takes several minutes and doesn't really clean much, even with a mineral oil carrier.
FWIW, the "run the drivetrain to destruction" experiment is still ongoing, at about 21,400 miles. The chain went on at about 17,300 so this is a record at about 4000 miles. Admittedly, it's not the same chain, I switched a couple of months ago to another "worn out" chain. I probably should look into doing that again soon. It's still running great, shifts smooth and fast and no skipping at all, even though the cogs must all be getting significantly worn, and the derailleur wheels are worn almost smooth.
In other bike news, I found that my gas powered weed whacker fits in the folding basket fine when broken down and lashed in with a radiator strap. Had to go over to the church to do a little trimming there.
